Where the Wild Things Are, a cinematic adaptation of Maurice Sendak’s beloved children’s book, is a visually stunning and emotionally resonant film that has captivated audiences of all ages. However, for parents considering sharing this fantastical journey with their children, understanding the movie’s content is crucial. This “Wild Things Parents Guide” aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the movie’s elements, helping you determine its suitability for your family.
Delving into the Wild Content: Violence and Gore in “Where the Wild Things Are”
While “Where the Wild Things Are” is not overtly graphic, it does contain scenes that some parents may find concerning, especially for younger or more sensitive children. The film portrays a world of wild creatures and untamed emotions, which naturally leads to some intense and potentially unsettling moments.
Monster Mayhem and Aggression
The wild things, while ultimately endearing, are initially presented as intimidating and prone to aggressive behavior. Several scenes depict monster violence, albeit in a non-bloodthirsty manner, but still potentially frightening for young viewers:
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Monster Fight: One monster angrily tackles another, pins him, and rips off an arm. Although sand pours out instead of blood, the act itself is violent. The injured monster is later seen with a twig in place of his arm, a slightly comical but still visually distinct injury.
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Dirt Clod War: A boy instigates a war game where monsters throw dirt clumps at each other. This scene involves impacts to heads and bodies, a monster being knocked down and crying in pain, and even a raccoon being thrown and biting a monster’s nose. While seemingly playful, the scene contains elements of aggression and simulated violence.
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Monster Swallowing: A monster swallows a boy whole to protect him. While done with good intentions, the concept of being swallowed whole and the description of the boy being covered in “slimy slobber” might be disturbing for some children.
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Chasing and Threatening Behavior: Monsters chase the boy, attempt to smash him, and drag him away. One monster explicitly states she would like to eat the boy and comments on how he doesn’t have “bird bones” that would get stuck in her teeth. These scenes create a sense of threat and danger, even if ultimately harmless.
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Destructive Outbursts: Monsters smash holes in walls, knock down trees, and destroy huts in fits of anger or playfulness. These displays of destructive behavior, while fantastical, can be intense and contribute to the film’s overall wild and untamed atmosphere.
Human Anger and Conflict
Beyond monster violence, the film also portrays human anger and conflict, which can be equally impactful for young viewers:
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Parent-Child Conflict: A scene depicts a boy and his mother in a heated argument. The boy shouts, runs away, and bites his mother on the shoulder. This portrayal of familial conflict and physical aggression, even mild, can be upsetting for some children who are sensitive to such dynamics.
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Snowball Fight and Bullying: A snowball fight escalates into bullying behavior, with teens chasing and ganging up on a younger boy, eventually causing an igloo to collapse on him and leaving him crying. This scene highlights themes of social aggression and vulnerability.
Intense and Scary Moments: Beyond Physical Violence
“Where the Wild Things Are” also features emotionally intense and potentially scary moments that go beyond physical violence:
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Skeletons and Dark Humor: A scene with skeletons and a monster’s joking comment about them being previous “Kings” touches upon dark humor and potentially morbid themes, which might be unsettling for younger children.
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Existential Themes: The film touches upon complex and potentially frightening themes like the sun dying, the end of humanity, loneliness, and existential emptiness. While these themes are presented in a child-appropriate manner, they can still be conceptually challenging and potentially anxiety-inducing for some children.
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Monster Appearance and Behavior: The wild things themselves, while ultimately lovable, can be initially perceived as scary due to their size, teeth, and sometimes unpredictable behavior. Their loud shouts and intense emotions can also contribute to the film’s overall intensity.
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Chase Scenes and Suspense: Several chase scenes, both with monsters and humans, create suspense and a sense of unease, particularly for younger viewers who may be more easily frightened by such scenarios.
“Wild Things Parents Guide”: Conclusion and Considerations
“Where the Wild Things Are” is a film rich in imagination and emotional depth, but it also contains elements of monster violence, human aggression, intense moments, and complex themes. While not gratuitously violent or gory, the film’s overall tone and specific scenes may be too intense or unsettling for younger or more sensitive children, typically those under the age of 7 or 8.
Parents should consider their child’s temperament and sensitivity to potentially scary or intense content when deciding if “Where the Wild Things Are” is appropriate. Watching the movie beforehand or researching more detailed reviews can further aid in making an informed decision. This “Wild Things Parents Guide” serves as a starting point to navigate the wild ride and ensure a positive viewing experience for your family.
